Farm Stress Real Talk with Penn State Extension

Join Penn State Extension's Farm Stress team members as they review and discuss this year's Ag Forum held in Lancaster, PA.  Episode Hosts: Chi Catalone, Ginger Fenton, Sonya Nace, and Amber Otis

Join the Extension Farm Stress Real Talk team as they reflect on their participation in the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show and their favorite events and activities of the week. 

Listen in as Ginger, Chi, Amber, and Sonya provide their reactions and thoughts to the ambiguous loss series interviews and how there are resources available to help individuals cope with feeling stuck or unsure of how to move forward from a challenging situation.  Episode Speakers: Ginger Fenton, Chi Catalone, Amber Otis, and Sonya Nace Additional Resources (mentioned in episode) :  Pennsylvania...

Rob and Phillip from Horizon Farm Credit talk with Sonya about how planning and preparation can be solutions for financial farm stress.

Listen in to Sonya's chat with Eric Finkenbinder, Chief Meteorologist from ABC 27, as they discuss weather and farm stress. 

Jill Varner discusses farm stress and family dynamics, exploring how various stressors and crises can impact farm families and emphasizing the importance of identifying ways to communicate and strengthen the family unit in the times of uncertainty and loss. 

Join the conversation between Jeff and Amber to hear how Jeff used the loss of his dairy cows as a medium to connect with others experiencing significant farming losses.  Learn more about Jeff at his website: https://jeffcorlemusic.com/ Listen to Jeff's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC30acLMpdWF-5kdzTCpUeNQ Follow Jeff on TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook Lead image photo credit- Amber O...

Dr. Gregory Martin, a Poultry Extension Educator with Penn State Extension, describes his firsthand experiences with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) as it has taken a toll on poultry farms in Pennsylvania.  Episode Host and Speaker: Ginger Fenton (host), Gregory Martin (speaker)

In this episode, we'll talk with Jake Jacobs, the Northeast Cooperative Extension cohort coordinator for the Farm and & Ranch Assistance Network. Jake will talk about ambiguous loss in agriculture.  Important Resources shared in the podcast are the AgriStress Hotline 1-833-897-2474, and the National Suicide and Crisis Hotline, 988.  Primary Host/Moderator: Chi Catalone 

In this episode, Jill talks to Gregory Summerson from Lake City Fire Department to share information about wildfires. We will discuss causes, how to prevent wildfires, and how to identify if you are in a high risk area. Gregory is the Assistant Fire Chief who shares his knowledge and experience to help people before, during and after a potential time of crisis. Host: Jill Varner, Guest: Gregory Su...

In this episode, Amber talks with Bob Smerbeck from Accuweather to get insight into weather trends and how Accuweather services can help farming families. Bob is a Senior Meteorologist who shares how his interest in weather-watching developed into a career.  To stay up-to-date on changing weather conditions, check out Accuweather's website at https://www.accuweather.com/ or download the Accuw...

In this episode, we'll talk with Dr. Billingsley from Penn State Health. Dr. Billingsley, an experienced dermatologist, talks about sun safety and skin cancer prevention strategies for the agricultural community. She shared the resource https://www.aad.org/public/public-health/skin-cancer-screenings to locate a free skin cancer screening near you.  Episode host: Chi Catalone, Guests: Dr. Bill...

While farmers may not think about climate change on a regular basis, cumulative changes in day to day farm operations due to changes in our climate can impact farm operations. Join Addie Candib and Dr. Bonnie McGill of American Farmland Trust as they share insights on agriculture can be part of the solution.  Episode host: Ginger Fenton, Guests: Addie Candib and Dr. Bonnie McGill, American Farmlan...

Sonya Nace, Penn State Extension educator, talks with Hannah Smith-Brubaker, a farmer and advocate for the agricultural community, about the importance of resiliency and new resources for those working on farms. Episode host/Speakers  Host: Sonya Ryan Nace  Guest: Hannah Smith-Brubaker

Sonya Nace from Penn State Extension, talks with Brett Reinford, a Central Pennsylvania farmer, about strategies to prevent stress while working on a multi-family farm operation and tips for those who employ farm workers. Episode host/Speakers  Host: Sonya Ryan Nace  Guest: Brett Reinford

Join the Penn State Extension farm stress team for a discussion with members of the Animal Systems unit, Melanie Barkley who leads the livestock team, and Samantha Gehrett who is a co-leader of the dairy team. The educators will share tools and resources to assist livestock and dairy producers in Pennsylvania.  Episode host and speakers: Host is Ginger Fenton with guests Melanie Barkley and Samant...

In this episode, we'll talk with Megan Luke and Andrew Holden from the Penn State Extension Horticulture Team. They're here to discuss the many ways the Horticulture Team serves as a vital resource and provides support to agriculture producers. Megan and Andrew play significant roles in the Collaborative Lake Erie Regional Grape Program Team, a collaborative effort between Penn State Ext...

For our fourth series of interviews, WE ARE...focusing on units and resources for farming communities available within Penn State Extension. Penn State Extension has a variety of resources available in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth. From alternative energy to farm transition teams, learn more about what Penn State Extension has available for everyone in farming communities. WE ARE......

For our fourth series of interviews, WE ARE...focusing on units and resources for farming communities available within Penn State Extension. Penn State Extension has a variety of resources available in all 67 counties throughout the Commonwealth. From alternative energy to farm transition teams, learn more about what Penn State Extension has available for everyone in farming communities. WE ARE......

In this episode, Jayne Sebright, the Executive Director of the Center for Dairy Excellence and its Dairy Excellence Foundation , talks about resources available from the Center to help farm families navigate various challenges. This interview was part of the You’re in Good Company: The Farming Community Cares Panel, which was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2024.  Episode host:  Ambe...

Join our team for a conversation with Rich Galutia, the current President of the Penn Ag board, who will share thoughts from his experience working with the ag community during stressful times including the highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak in Pennsylvania.  Episode host: Ginger Fenton, Penn State Extension

In this episode, we will speak with Andy Bater, a fourth-generation farmer who was a guest panelist for the You’re in Good Company: The Farming Community Cares Panel, which was held at the Pennsylvania Farm Show in January 2024. In this episode, we continue our conversation from the panel discussion by talking about the unique challenges farmers face and elaborate on the valuable community resourc...

In this episode, we have a conversation with JJ Barrett from West Virginia University Extension about the importance of starting a conversation among family members about the future of the farm. We explore strategies to open lines of communication even when family members may disagree on the next phase of farm life.  Host, Sonya Nace is an Extension Educator for Penn State.  She works with the Foo...

In this episode, we will speak with Licensed Social Worker Dawn Foringer. She will discuss the benefits for farmers and farm families, proactively discussing and completing advance care planning documents. She will highlight the differences between advance directives, living wills, and power of attorney documents. Listen to learn more about the importance of advanced care planning. 

In this episode extension educator, Jill Varner will be talking to Dr. Matthew Kaplan about how and the benefits of having difficult conversations about succession planning.